Turkish-Iranian Relations: A Reality Check, Fall 2009

Governments on both sides of the Atlantic have been struggling to find an appropriate response to the tide of events following the recent elections in Iran. Turkey’s neutral approach and its decision not to mingle in Iran’s internal affairs have led to renewed interest in the nature of Turkish-Iranian relations and in the question, what position Turkey actually takes on important issues such as the Iranian nuclear program. This article seeks to illuminate the different facets of the economic, political and cultural dimensions of Turkish-Iranian relations and to uncover the underlying strategic issues that ultimately drive Turkish foreign policy considerations with regard to Iran.

CONTRIBUTOR

Andreas Breitegger

This issue of TPQ takes up a myriad of issues that the Middle East is grappling with today: from protracted conflicts and the increasing complexity of proxy wars, to changing regional blocs and emerging powers. The Arab uprisings of 2011 remain an important fulcrum for the changing political landscape of the Middle East, and as many of our authors contend, the underlying problems and basic drivers...